"The culture, the rich heritage, the people, the good food, the good music, everything about it inspired me and I wanted to see it in the market," Perley said. “I wanted people to be able to buy into that lifestyle and I want my line to represent it."

Perley’s line is made in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Her clothes are sold in 50 stores throughout the southeast.

Barroso, who is first generation Turkish and Panamanian, seeks to add a creative twist to everyday wear with her line: "Crowned Bird".

"When it comes to fashion and how you leave the house it's kind of an important thing--and not everybody thinks that way,” Barroso said. “But we're moving back into that."

Barroso and Perley imparted words of advice to aspiring designers.

"Know who you are and don't stop doing it," Barroso said.

"As long as you’re in it for the long run then you should go for it," Perley said.